President Carter Has Harsh Words About Rep. Wilson, Tone Toward President Obama

Only Fox News would accuse President Jimmy Carter of playing the race card while (on a daily basis turning blind eyes and deaf ears to Rush Limbaugh’s almost daily racial rants).

Carter, the former president of the United States, had some harsh words related to Rep. Joe Wilson’s angry, hate-driven and irresponsible outburst during President Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress. Fox News, as you might expect, had a headline on its homepage that charged Carter with playing the mythical so-called “race card” with his comments about Rep. Wilson (Fox News links to an AP story with a more fair and balanced headline to describe the story, “Carter: Wilson’s Outburst ‘Based on Racism’”).

Here is a portion of the AP story Fox News posted:

ATLANTA – Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson’s outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress last week was an act “based on racism” and rooted in fears of a black president.

“I think it’s based on racism,” Carter said in response to an audience question at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”

The Georgia Democrat said the outburst was a part of a disturbing trend directed at the president that has included demonstrators equating Obama to Nazi leaders.

“Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care,” he said. “It’s deeper than that.”

Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, was formally rebuked Tuesday in a House vote for shouting “You lie!” during Obama’s speech to Congress last Wednesday.

The shout came after the president commented that illegal aliens would be ineligible for federal subsidies to buy health insurance. Republicans expressed their disbelief with sounds of disapproval, punctuated by Wilson’s outburst.

I am not sure Rep. Wilson’s undisciplined and out-of-control outburst is directly based in racism (although he does have a bit of a checkered past relative to issues regarding race). But, I think it is based on a strong lack of respect for this particular president (the reason for that lack of respect is certainly up for debate), who merely is making proposals for healthcare. Rep. Wilson’s anger seems disproportionate to the kind of legislation that President Obama is simply proposing (as little if anything is actually set in stone). So, I think President Carter may be a bit off base with Rep. Wilson, specifically, but in general I think he is on the money with some of the more outspoken people on the far right as far as their motives are concerned.

This also is from the story:

“I think Joe’s conduct was asinine, but I think it would be asinine no matter what the color of the president,” said Dick Harpootlian, who has known Wilson for decades. “I don’t think Joe’s outburst was caused by President Obama being African-American. I think it was caused by no filter being between his brain and his mouth.”

Harpootlian said he received scores of racial e-mails from outside South Carolina after he talked about the vote on FOX News.

“You have a bunch of folks out there looking for some comfort in their racial issues. They have a problem with an African-American president,” he said. “But was he motivated by that? I don’t think so. I respectfully disagree with President Carter, though it gives validity to racism.”

I think that is more the issue: Rep. Wilson’s outburst emboldens the racists and far-right nuts who hated (or at the very least were uncomfortable with) Barack Obama the first time they saw him (long before anything came out of his mouth).

Rep. Wilson’s thoughts have inspired the haters and racists. Moreover, Rep. Wilson’s unwillingness to formally apologize for his disgraceful actions before Congress makes me think two things: 1. He is not really sorry for his actions. 2. He now is officially playing politics (by forcing primarily Democrats to reprimand him). 3. He is willing to be a martyr for those who hate President Obama.

David Letterman’s Top 10 Excuses For Rep. Joe Wilson’s Outrage

On The Late Show, comedian David Letterman’s popular Top 10 list examines Republican Rep. Joe Wilson’s bizarre, undisciplined and disrespectful outburst during President Obama’s speech before a joint session of Congress.

1. Nobody cared when McCain yelled bingo
2. It’s been weeks since a Republican politician embarrassed the state of South Carolina
3. I thought it was a roast
4. Yeah, I accused a politician of lying. What was I thinking?
5. I’m an idiot
6. Uh … Swine Flu?
7. Thought I was in the audience at Maury
8. Was trying to impress that hellcat Nancy Pelosi
9. Ashton Kutcher put me up to it
10. Shouldn’t have gone tailgating before the speech

Crooks and Liars (see the video):
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/late-show-top-ten-south-carolina-represent

Rob Miller Has Raised Reportedly $500,000 Since Rep. Wilson’s Uncivilized ‘You Lie’ Comment During President Obama’s Speech

Rob Miller, a democrat who is running against the disgraced Rep. Joe Wilson, has been raising quite a bit of money since Wilson’s “you lie” outburst during President Obama’s speech before Congress this week.

From Talking Points Memo:

The money is still coming in for Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, the Democratic House candidate who has received a flood of donations since incumbent Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouted “You lie!” during President Obama’s speech last night.

The DCCC just announced that in the time since the Wilson outburst, Miller has received more than $500,000, from over 14,000 individual contributors.

I’d have to think Miller (or just about anyone else) would be a better representative than the undisciplined Joe Wilson, who doesn’t seem quite as sincere since giving the customary apology after doing something stupid and something as disgraceful and disrespectful as he did.

Rep. Joe Wilson Is A Disgrace For His Lack Of Self Control And Outright Disrespect … And More

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson disgraced himself with an appalling display during President Obama’s speech to Congress about health care. I wonder how proud his state must be feeling of this man right now. As if one of the state’s eyes wasn’t blackened enough with the scandal of the governor, this man comes in and disgraces his state on national television and in front of the world with a shocking lack of self control, respect and discipline. It was a truly stunning display that left both Democrats and Republicans nearly paralyzed with shock.

Here is part of a CNN story that describes what happened:

A Republican House member shouted, “You lie” during President Obama’s health care speech to Congress on Wednesday, and members of both parties condemned the heckling.

After the speech, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson issued a statement apologizing for his outburst.

“This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill,” the statement said. “While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”

Wilson also called the White House to apologize and spoke with Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

The outburst came when Obama denied that proposed health care legislation would provide free health coverage for illegal immigrants. Immediately, Wilson shouted, “You lie!” Watch the outburst and the chamber’s response »

The outburst caused Obama to stop and look toward the heckler. “That’s not true,” the president responded.

Once again, I think this shows the irrational hatred that some on the far right have for this particular president. It also shows that some of what is coming from the far right is less ideal oriented and more hate driven. For this man to lose control (as he did) in this forum speaks to out-of-control, irrational anger and a lack of basic discipline and civility.

This man, Joe Wilson, has disgraced Congress, our country, his state, his constituents and himself.

Here is what some are saying:

• Sen. Dick Durbin (Democrat): It was crude and disrespectful. I think the person who said it will pay a price.
• Sen. Bob Corker, (Republican): Certainly, I respect the office of the president, and I think that’s not the kind of thing that is appropriate in that kind of setting especially/. I don’t know who said it, but my sense is most people don’t think it was a good idea it occurred. And I happen to be one of those.
• Sen. John McCain (Republican): (Wilson) should apologize for it immediately.
• Rob Miller (Democrat who is challenging Wilson): Rep. Wilson’s behavior tonight exemplifies everything that is wrong in Washington. Instead of engaging in childish name-calling and disrespecting our commander-in-chief, Joe Wilson should be working towards a bipartisan solution that makes quality, affordable health care available to each and every South Carolinian.
• South Carolina Democratic party chairwoman Carol Fowler: Once again a South Carolina Republican has embarrassed our state. Never has any member of Congress shown such disrespect for the president during a speech.
• Erick Erickson (conservative for RedState.com: (Wilson is a) “great American hero.
• Sen. Patrick Leahy (Democrat): I’ve never seen anything like it. I talked to a number of my Republican friends on the way out who were mortified and angry that someone would do that.
• Sen. Claire McCaskill (Democrat): Biggest disappointment of evening, the total lack of respect shown by one member for the President. Never acceptable to behave like a jerk.

Wilson shamed himself, his state and his country.

This was cited by Huffington Post:

The non-partisan organization FactCheck.org has debunked the claim that health care reform would mandate coverage for illegal immigrants.

CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/09/joe.wilson/

Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/gop-rep-wilson-yells-out_n_281480.html

The Hill:
http://thehill.com/homenews/house/58035-you-lie-mccain-calls-on-wilson-to-apologize

Sanford Got Himself In Scandal … Media Is An Easy Scapegoat

In reading an article on News Busters I read from a writer who is upset about coverage of the controversy surrounding Republican Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina. Now, the media coverage on this has been big (for a lot of reasons … reasons that have nothing to do with political parties). The writer, Rich Noyes, articulates a few controversial cases involving Democrats he asserts have not garnered as much coverage as Sanford’s crazy tales. But, the writer seems to have omitted a couple of things that caught my eye as I read over the story: (1) I saw no mention of how the media beat up and beat down former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards (and, actually, continues to go after him) and (2) I saw no mention of the affair controversy involving a Republican, Sen. John Ensign of Nevada (an affair that is not getting much coverage all things considered). The writer also seems to ignore that Gov. Sanford disappeared, few people seemed to know where he was, he is responsible for the people of South Carolina, there was dishonesty about his whereabouts, Republicans have portrayed themselves as the party of family values, he was missing around Father’s Day and … on and on it goes.

Here is the News Busters article:

In the week since South Carolina’s Republican Governor announced he had flown to Argentina to carry on an extra-marital affair, the broadcast morning and evening news shows have gone full bore on the scandal, cranking out 49 stories even in the midst of other major stories like Michael Jackson’s death and the continuing repression in Iran.

The morning after Sanford announced his affair, on the June 25 Good Morning America, longtime correspondent Sam Donaldson used the scandal to broadly charge Republicanswith being “sanctimonious. They thump the Bible. They condemn everyone else, and when they [act] human, they don’t have much credit in the bank for forgiveness.” Unlike when New York Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer was caught consorting with a prostitute in March 2008, all three broadcast networks immediately identified Sanford’s party ID.

A number of top Democrats are enmeshed in embarrassment or facing allegations of wrongdoing, but the networks have far less interest in publicizing those cases.A rundown of ABC, CBS and NBC morning and evening coverage so far this year [ talks about Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN), Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Ex-Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA).]

I am not saying those are not scandals, but to imply bias seems off base.

Noyes’ headline: Heavy Coverage of Sanford’s Woes, But Where Are Democratic Scandals?

Noyes must have been asleep during the presidential primaries.

Ask John Edwards if his affair got far less interest.

As For Gov. Mark Sanford’s Lofty Political Ambitions: It A Wrap

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford can kiss goodbye any chance he had at securing the Republican nomination for president of the United States of America.

Frankly, this is a sad story:

COLUMBIA, S.C. – During a Wednesday news conference at his office in Columbia, Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to having an extramarital affair — information that surfaced after his recent, secret trip to Argentina.

The married father of four emotionally apologized to his wife and staff, saying, “I’ve let down a lot of people.”

Sanford said he met the woman almost eight years ago, but “about a year ago, it sparked into something more than that.”

The governor said his wife and family have known about it for the past five months.

He also announced that he was resigning as chairman of the Republican Governors’ Association.

Earlier, the South Carolina governor told a newspaper he was in South America, not hiking the Appalachian Trail as his staff had told the public to explain his sudden absence. He said he “wanted to do something exotic” to unwind after losing a fight over federal stimulus money.

Gov. Sanford is already ducking calls for his resignation as governor of South Carolina. Some people are even talking impeachment.

Crooks and Liars:
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/sanford-admits-he-has-been-unfaithfu

Racist Comment Comes From South Carolina Politician Toward Michelle Obama

Once again, racism rears its ugly head down in South Carolina from a popular GOP activist named Rusty DePass took a nasty shot at First Lady Michelle Obama. Here is the story as reported by Ben Hoover of WISTV.com in Columbia, S.C.

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – A state Republican activist has admitted to and apologized for calling a gorilla that escaped from the Riverbanks Zoo Friday an “ancestor” of First Lady Michelle Obama.

A screen capture of the comment, made on the Internet site Facebook, was obtained by FITSNews, the website of South Carolina politico Will Folks.

The image shows a post by an aide to state Attorney General Henry McMaster describing Friday morning’s gorilla escape at Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo.

Longtime SCGOP activist and former state Senate candidate Rusty DePass responded with the comment, “I’m sure it’s just one of Michelle’s ancestors – probably harmless.”

DePass told WIS News 10 he was talking about First Lady Michelle Obama.

What a reprehensible comment and thankfully, as you can see in the entire story, there were individuals who stepped forward and condemned such a nasty comment from DePass.

DePass started his apology this way:

“I am as sorry as I can be if I offended anyone. The comment was clearly in jest.”

Then, he kept running his mouth and ended up blowing it by saying this:

DePass took his apology a bit further. He also said, “The comment was hers. Not mine,” saying the first lady made statements in the media recently saying we are all descendants of apes.

The writer did an Internet search for such comments from Michelle Obama, but found none to back up the claim of DePass (who dug himself a deeper hole). That is just an unbelievably stupid and racist comment. His apology started off well, but then he went to the blame-the-victim approach to apologizing.

Fortunately, I am sure Michelle Obama is tough enough to waste little (if any) time dignifying comments similar to those she probably has heard many times before.

WISTV.com:
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10526195&nav=0RaPIYA8

Crooks and Liars:
http://crooksandliars.com/logan-murphy/sc-gop-activist-jokes-escaped-gorrill